Outer Space Astronauts

Review

Common Sense Media says

Crude comedy mocks sci-fi clichés; lots of partying.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this spoofy space comedy (which is a hybrid of computer animation and live-action, with real actors’ heads grafted onto CGI bodies) makes fun of clichéd sci-fi series by filling its spaceship with a crew of misfits and slackers. The captain’s only obvious interest is in partying, and most of the crew follows his lead -- essentially, it’s a frat house in outer space. There’s no actual sex, but expect plenty of references to sex and other bodily functions, as well as some swearing and a near-constant focus on partying.

  • Positive messages0
    The show makes mocks the tried-and-true space exploration genre by mercilessly making fun of any and all clichés. Everything from the noble leader to the incomprehensible control panels comes under fire here. Also plenty of fart jokes.
  • Positive role models0
    These space explorers are only role models when it comes to slackerdom -- they'd rather be planning a major party than charting a course to the next star system. The exception is the second-in-command, who takes his duties very seriously. But his orders are routinely ignored by the crew and countermanded by the captain, especially if they might interfere with a fiesta.
  • Violence2
    Some mild space combat, with cheap explosion effects.
  • Sex3
    Plenty of suggestive comments, and a few female aliens with skimpy costumes. Male characters occasionally bare their backsides, but the shots are blurred out.
  • Language3
    Some swearing, including “balls,” “butt,” “ass,” and “bastard.” Harder words are rare -- and are bleeped when they do pop up.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Plenty of references to drinking, being drunk, and being hungover.
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What's the story?

The spaceship O.S.S. Oklahoma might make some important scientific discoveries ... if the crew was willing to turn down the stereo and put the brewskis back in the fridge. Following the adventures of a dedicated team out exploring the far reaches of the galaxy, OUTER SPACE ASTRONAUTS parodies many tried-and-true sci-fi clichés. It just so happens that this group of slackers is more dedicated to partying than to science, and when they encounter hostile aliens, their immediate instinct is to host a pizza party.

Is it any good?

 

This hybrid of live-action heads bolted onto computer animated bodies plays like Animal House in space; Captain Bruce Ripley (series creator Russell Barrett) even looks like a John Belushi type with a two-day beard and no shortage of pull-my-finger jokes. His second in command, Commander Dick Amos (Adam Clinton), tries to enforce discipline and go by the book, but his orders are routinely ignored -- nobody wants to let him harsh their buzz.

The standard Star Trek model, which has always taken itself way too seriously, is ripe for parody. But the genre deserves better than this hackneyed collection of sexist leers and cheap jokes about space hangovers.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the show's take on drinking and partying. Does it seem realistic? What are some of the real-life consequences of drinking?

  • How does this show compare to the shows it makes fun of (such as Star Trek)?
    Can you spot any elements from the basic formula that are skewered
    here? Can you think of any other plot points that should be mocked?

This review was written by Will Wade

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Will Wade
TV rating:NR
Network:Syfy
Cast:Adam Clinton
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by Will Wade
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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